RUSTIK at the 10th EUGEO Congress: Exploring Rural Transitions in a Changing Europe

The RUSTIK project will contribute to the upcoming 10th EUGEO Congress, taking place from 8–11 September 2025 at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna. Under the theme “Geographies of a Changing Europe”, the event will bring together geographers from across the continent to address Europe’s complex territorial and social transformations. 

RUSTIK is taking part in the scientific programme with Session 106: The relevance of diverse information collection in research on transition of rural areas, scheduled for Wednesday, 10 September 2025 (09:00–10:30). The session is chaired by Prof. Ewa Korcelli-Olejniczak and Prof. Jerzy Bański, and features contributions from RUSTIK Living Labs in Austria, Slovenia, Serbia, and Poland. 

Session Focus: How We Know What We Know 

The aim of the session is to explore the role that different data collection methods—both quantitative and qualitative—play in shaping how knowledge is built around rural transitions. Rather than focusing solely on the findings of research, the session will spotlight the “how”: how data is gathered, how participatory methods are implemented, and how research processes influence both the outcomes and the territories themselves. 

Drawing on experiences from RUSTIK’s pilot regions, participants will discuss how data collection tools and methods affect participatory action research, and reflect on questions of transferability, universality, and replicability. The session invites a methodological dialogue on the tools and approaches that can meaningfully support the transitions of rural and peri-urban areas across Europe. 

Presentations from RUSTIK Partners 
  1. Combining Data and Stakeholder Engagement to Support Rural Transitions
    Living Lab: Nockregion-Oberkärnten, Austria
    Karin Schroll, Daria Ernst, Ingrid Machold (Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research)
    A mixed-methods approach to mapping and understanding the role of small rural businesses, with a focus on spatial data and participatory validation through mapping workshops. 
  2. Supporting Social Entrepreneurship and Food Redistribution: A Modelling Approach
    Living Lab: Osrednjeslovenska, Slovenia
    Matic Soklič, Emil Erjavec, Ilona Rac (University of Ljubljana)
    Development of a system dynamics model connecting food redistribution to social impact, combining logistics data with qualitative insights from a social cooperative. 
  3. A Living Lab Approach in Functional Rural Areas
    Living Lab: Radomski Subregion, Poland
    Marcin Mazur, Ewa Korcelli-Olejniczak (Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization PAS)
    An exploration of methodological experimentation in a socially challenged region, highlighting the integration of bottom-up knowledge and formal data sources. 
  4. Developing an Inclusive Short Food Supply Chain to Meet Tourism Demand
    Living Lab: Zaječar District, Serbia
    Natalija Bogdanov, Saša Todorović (University of Belgrade – Faculty of Agriculture)
    Use of surveys, social network analysis, and spatial mapping to connect local food producers with tourism demand, aiming to build resilient, short supply chains. 

The session supports RUSTIK’s overarching goal to co-produce data-driven and context-sensitive knowledge that empowers rural communities and informs better policy-making. Participation in the EUGEO Congress offers a valuable opportunity to engage with the broader geographical research community on methods, practices, and the future of rural transitions in Europe. 

RUSTIK at the XXI European Rural Development Network Conference: Advancing Rural Sustainability Through Living Labs

From September 23 to 25, 2025, the vibrant city of Bucharest, Romania, will host the XXI European Rural Development Network (ERDN) Conference on the theme “Food systems transition for sustainable rural development.” This event will bring together experts, researchers, policymakers, and project leaders from across Europe, all united by the goal of fostering resilient and sustainable rural futures.

RUSTIK is proud to participate with a poster presentation titled: “Facilitating transition to a resilient and sustainable future of rural areas through Living Labs: The example of the Austrian Living Lab Nockregion-Oberkärnten.” The presentation will be delivered by Ingrid Machold from the Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research (BAB), Vienna.

The Austrian Living Lab Nockregion-Oberkärnten focuses on the socio-economic transition challenges faced by small rural businesses (SRBs) — those with fewer than 50 employees — which represent 99% of businesses in the region. These SRBs are the backbone of the local economy, providing diverse services and employment opportunities critical for regional vitality.

The Living Lab’s core objective is to enhance the visibility and influence of SRBs in regional decision-making, strengthening their role as key drivers of sustainable development. The process unfolds in three iterative cycles that align research priorities with practical needs, define and implement data experiments, and translate findings into actionable strategies, policy designs, and development initiatives.

What to Expect at the Conference

The ERDN conference will offer a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, featuring thematic sessions with presentations followed by open debates moderated by experts. RUSTIK’s contribution to the session on rural transitions will enrich discussions on how innovative, data-informed approaches can accelerate rural resilience.

The conference will also foster collaboration across Horizon Europe projects, with panel discussions on critical topics such as the Rural Pact, sustainable food systems, and land governance. These dialogues will emphasize the need for integrated policies and community engagement to meet the ambitious vision of resilient rural areas by 2040.

Participants will also enjoy networking opportunities during traditional Romanian social events, strengthening bonds within the rural development community.

Looking Ahead

RUSTIK’s participation in the ERDN Conference will highlight the importance of Living Labs as catalysts for sustainable rural transformation. By sharing the Austrian experience, RUSTIK will contribute valuable lessons on supporting small rural businesses and enabling inclusive, place-based innovation.

As the project progresses, the insights gathered at this event will feed into RUSTIK’s ongoing efforts to shape policies and initiatives that ensure vibrant, resilient rural futures across Europe.

RUSTIK to Participate in the International Mountain Conference 2025 in Innsbruck

The RUSTIK project will be represented at the upcoming International Mountain Conference (IMC), taking place from 14 to 18 September 2025 in Innsbruck, Austria. The IMC is a key international forum dedicated to mountain research, bringing together scientists and practitioners from various disciplines to exchange knowledge and explore strategies for resilient and sustainable mountain development. 

RUSTIK will contribute to the conference through participation in Focus Session 3.196: “Mountain diversities for shared innovative solutions: The role of SMEs for sustainable and resilient development in mountain rural areas.” This session is convened by Ingrid Machold (BAB, Austria), with co-conveners Petya Slavova, Daria Ernst, and Nina Denisova. 

The session focuses on the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mountain areas, exploring how their innovative approaches contribute to local employment, economic diversification, and resilience in the face of socio-economic and environmental challenges. The session will highlight diverse examples from across Europe and stimulate discussion on how to better integrate SMEs into regional development and policy frameworks. 

RUSTIK’s contributions include three presentations: 

  • Understanding and Enhancing the Visibility and Diversity of Small Rural Businesses
    Ingrid Machold, Karin Schroll, Daria Ernst
    This presentation explores the contribution of small rural businesses (SRBs) in Austria’s Nockregion-Oberkärnten, focusing on visibility, governance inclusion, and their key role in regional development. 
  • Exploring Territorial Development in the Central Balkan Mountain Area through SMEs
    Petya Slavova, Nina Denisova
    The presentation analyses SME business models in three municipalities in Bulgaria’s Central Balkan region, offering insights into how different local contexts shape development pathways. 
  • Multifunctional Forestry in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Enterprises in MontagnAppennino
    Mirta Sutter, Brigida Marovelli, Daniele Matteucci
    This contribution presents findings from the Italian RUSTIK Living Lab, where SMEs in forestry are working to revitalise mountain economies through sustainable forest management and ecosystem services. 

Through these contributions, RUSTIK will share practical insights from its Living Labs and ongoing research activities, supporting discussions on how SMEs can foster more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient futures in Europe’s mountain regions. 

More information on the International Mountain Conference can be found at: www.imc2025.info 

Innovative responses to rural demographic shifts: key takeaway from RUSTIK first regional workshop!

Gathered around the theme of demographic change and innovative responses to it, three living labs from the RUSTIK project: Rhein-Hunsrück (Germany), North Karelia (Finland), and Monmouthshire (UK) came together on June 5th to present and exchange ideas on shared challenges in the heart of Koli National Park, Finland.

This event aimed to disseminate the results developed within these real-life laboratory of the project and trigger peer-to-peer discussions.

Simo Rautiainen, a doctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland and the Karelian Institute, set the scene by introducing the host region North Karelia and outlining its demographic challenges over the period 1980 to 2024.

These three Living Labs, regional innovation hubs that experiment with real-world solutions to rural issues, then presented their unique, locally adapted approaches to addressing demographic specificities. Despite the geographical distance, many common patterns emerged.

Svea Thietje and Achim Kistner, both working within the Rhein-Hunsrück Living Lab, presented ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the region’s demographic resilience. They highlighted two key challenges: out-migration among young people aged 18 to 25, and the gap between supply and demand in the training and apprenticeship market.

Their Living Lab’s approach to addressing these challenges involved analysing mismatches in the apprenticeship landscape and improving alignment through a series of actions: organizing focus groups, co-designing surveys, and conducting interviews with both young people and employers (including agencies, job centres, and local administrations).
They shared the following key achievements:

  1. Created a well-founded database on the needs and obstacles faced by both young people and employers in relation to apprenticeships and vocational training.
  2. Ensured that young people’s voices were heard and considered in discussions around training.
  3. Created new networks and revived old ones, fostering dialogue among stakeholders.
  4. Attracted political attention — both at the district and regional levels — and initiated discussions with policymakers based on the findings.

In North Karelia, Aura Liski, project Manager at the Regional Council of North Karelia, presented a survey aimed at collecting data on the integration of immigrants in the region. The data is intended to help municipalities improve their integration services and better support the successful settlement of immigrants, given that the latest reform of the 2025 Integration Act, which made municipalities responsible for promoting the integration of immigrants, lacked the tools and data to evaluate and develop their integration services.

The survey was developed and launched in spring 2024 and has since been expanded to other municipalities in the region. An improved version of the survey is currently being prepared through a multidisciplinary collaboration with regional stakeholders.

Finally, Demelza Jones, Research Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire and representative of the Monmouthshire Living Lab, highlighted how a survey incorporating emotion-based questions on belonging and aspirations, combined with geo-referenced data and secondary datasets, enabled deeper insights and allowed for meaningful local-level comparisons.

In the context of Monmouthshire, which is marked by an ageing population as well as challenges related to housing, employment, and transport, this experimental approach provided valuable understanding of the needs and expectations of younger residents in the region.

Beyond the sharing of achievements, successes, and challenges, the panel discussions also revealed a strong desire to continue these initiatives beyond the timeframe of the project, as some of the results have proven to be valuable tools in themselves for other stakeholders.

Exploring Innovative Responses to Rural Demographic Challenges

Join the First RUSTIK Regional Workshop

Date: 5th June 2025

Time: 14:00 – 16:00 EET
Location: Vaarasali Auditorium, Koli Nature Centre Ukko, Finland  & Online

Check the full agenda

Register here

 

Across Europe, rural regions are facing complex and rapidly evolving demographic challenges — from youth outmigration to changing labour market needs and shifting patterns of immigration. Addressing these issues calls for tailored, place-based solutions rooted in both research and practice.

On 5th June 2025, the first RUSTIK Regional Dissemination Workshop, titled “RUSTIK Living Labs in Action: Responding to Rural Demographic Challenges”, will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange insights and inspire change.

Why This Workshop Matters

Rural areas are not uniform — each faces unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to demographic shifts. Yet, through shared dialogue and the exchange of good practices, regions can learn from each other and co-create more resilient futures. The RUSTIK project supports this goal by developing Living Labs — regional innovation hubs that experiment with real-world solutions to rural issues.

This workshop focuses specifically on labour market dynamics, immigration, and youth engagement, spotlighting work from three RUSTIK Living Labs:

What to Expect

This two-hour hybrid event is designed to be both informative and interactive. The program features expert presentations, Living Lab case studies, and a moderated panel discussion. Participants can contribute questions and insights in real time through online tools like Slido, ensuring dynamic engagement from both on-site and remote attendees.

Join Us — Onsite or Online

Whether you’re a regional policymaker, researcher, civil servant, or rural development practitioner, this workshop is an opportunity to connect with a growing European network committed to rethinking rural futures.

Mark your calendar and get ready to share, learn, and co-create.

RUSTIK at the RSA 2025 Annual Conference in Porto

The RUSTIK project is participating in the 2025 Regional Studies Association (RSA) Annual Conference, taking place from 6–9 May 2025 at the Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Portugal. The conference gathers researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across the globe to discuss pressing regional development challenges, and RUSTIK is proud to contribute to these conversations with two key presentations that reflect our project’s commitment to advancing data-informed rural policymaking.

A highlight of RUSTIK’s presence at the conference will be the presentation by Francesco Mantino and Barbara Forcina, from CREA – Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, titled “Analysing the Agri-food Chain Impacts on the Broader Local Economy through a Set of Governance Indicators: An Application to Two Processed Tomato Chains in Europe.” This research introduces a new approach to measuring the effects of agri-food supply chain governance on local economic development and territorial resilience, with case studies from Northern Italy and Extremadura (Spain). This session will take place on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00 WEST in Room 613 (Bloco 600), as part of the “Sustainability Transitions and the Environment: Farming and Eco-Restoration” theme.

In addition, Francesco Mantino, Research Director at CREA-PB and leader of RUSTIK Work Package 1 (“Understanding”), will also present his study “Understanding and Measuring how Demographic Changes Impact Rural Areas and their Diverse Responses to European Policies.” This work develops a typology of rural areas based on demographic change and evaluates how these patterns influence the uptake of EU funding across Italy. Using both aspatial and spatial econometric models, the research provides insights into how local demographic conditions shape access to RDP, ERDF, and ESF programmes, highlighting the need for more territorially sensitive approaches to EU funding mechanisms. This second session will take place during the “JRC: Smarter, Stronger and Resilient Rural Areas I” panel on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, from 16:30 to 18:30 WEST, in Room 163.

These contributions showcase RUSTIK’s broader aim of enhancing the evidence base for rural policy design and supporting the implementation of context-aware, inclusive strategies for rural development. We are proud to collaborate with leading experts and institutions in this effort and look forward to sharing key outcomes from the conference.

For more information about the conference, visit: https://www.regionalstudies.org/events/2025-annual-conference-porto/

RUSTIK to Feature at the European Congress on Renewal and Rural Development in Poznań

On the second day of the European Congress on Renewal and Rural Development, taking place from 8 to 10 May at the MTP Poznań Expo, the RUSTIK project will be featured in a dedicated session focused on strengthening rural communities through sustainable transformation.

The Congress, organised by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in cooperation with the Greater Poland regional government and under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, brings together over 1,500 participants from across Europe, including policymakers, researchers, NGOs, and rural leaders.

During the session titled “RUSTIK: Strengthening rural communities on their way to sustainable transformation”, our partners Ewa Korcelli-Olejniczak from the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization (IGSO PAS) will represent the Woj. Mazowieckie Living Lab in Poland (this Living Lab is co-organised in cooperation with the Foundation for the Development of Polish Agriculture (FDPA)), while Ilona Rac from the University of Ljubljana will represent the Osrednjeslovenska regija Living Lab.

They will present key insights from the RUSTIK project, which supports rural areas in addressing complex challenges through a combination of data-driven analysis and community-based approaches, helping to guide sustainable and inclusive rural transformations.

RUSTIK’s participation aligns with the Congress’s emphasis on rural resilience, inclusive development, and innovation, contributing to the broader conversation on the future of rural Europe.

The event opens on 8 May with a full day dedicated to Greater Poland, Regional Development and Youth, highlighting the region’s achievements in rural renewal, the role of women in leadership, and the perspectives of youth on the future of rural areas. The first day also included sessions on food production, health, education, local governance, and rural tourism, setting the stage for in-depth discussions over the following days.

The Congress continues through 10 May with further sessions on agricultural policy, international cooperation, and the future of rural development in the EU beyond 2027.

The role of data in driving transitions in rural areas | RUSTIK webinar

On 30 April, the RUSTIK project hosted an online event to explore the role of data in supporting rural transitions and shaping sustainable futures, gaining insight from the Horizon Europe RUSTIK project (Rural Sustainability Transitions through Integration of Knowledge for improved policy processes).

Rural areas provide ecosystem services, high-quality land-based products, cultural assets, and more. Nevertheless, they face increasing social and ecological challenges including demographic change, climate change, a digital divide, and limited economic diversification.

To navigate these complexities and support sustainable development, data plays a crucial role in guiding these territories toward transition pathways.  By advancing our understanding of different rural functions, characteristics and future scenarios for rural areas, data can help identify their potentials and challenges, enabling more informed place-based policies and targeted interventions.

This online conference brought together experts, project partners, and regional representatives to discuss key challenges such as data access, protection,  and integrating data in decision-making. Participants heard real-world experiences from pilot regions, engaged in hands-on workshops using the data viewer tool, and took part in meaningful discussions on the future of rural areas.

 

Missed the webinar? No worries! The recording is now live!

 

   

   

RUSTIK MIDTERM Draft Agenda

RUSTIK’s Osona Living Lab showcases insights at GRANULAR Webinar on Rural Innovation

Rustik's Osona Living Lab showcases insights at Granular webinar on rural innovation

The RUSTIK project took part in the latest GRANULAR webinar “Living Labs: Driving change in rural areas”, which took place on March 18, 2025. This event, organized by the European Association for Innovation in Local Development (AEIDL) as part of the GRANULAR project, aimed to disseminate innovative tools developed within its Living Labs to improve decision-making and management systems in rural areas across Europe.

On this occasion, the Osona Living Lab actively participated in a panel discussion titled “The role of data in driving innovation across Living Labs”. In this session, Marité Guevara and Andreu Blanch, both representatives from the Osona Living Lab in Spain, shared their experience and insights on how data can transform rural policies and practices, exploring both the immediate benefits and long-term impacts of the innovations implemented on rural areas.

In their speech, Marité focused on the development of a Quality of Life Index tailored to small villages, combining objective data with subjective perceptions. Andreu, on the other hand, highlighted the difficulty of acquiring detailed data at the village level, presenting Maptionnaire, a map-based survey tool that helped the Osona Linving Lab to capture local insights on mobility, safety, and public space utilization.

Living Labs impact on EU rural research

The event also featured the involvement of participants from other European institutions. Benjamin Van Doorslaer, Research Programme Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), opened the session, highlighting the importance of Living Labs in EU research.

The webinar showcased insights from two GRANULAR Multi-Actor Labs in Poland and the Netherlands. Agnieszka Kurdyś-Kujawska (Koszalin University of Technology) presented the West Pomerania Living Lab, which promotes short food supply chains and sustainable land use, addressing regional disparities, while Kimberly Wevers (P10) discussed the Dutch Living Lab, which examines rural service provision and housing challenges. Their contribution was essential in showcasing progress in the use of novel data collection methodologies that help local stakeholders to make better resource management decisions.

This webinar is part of GRANULAR’s efforts to promote effective knowledge transfer among various Living Lab initiatives, aiming to enhance sustainable development and resilience in rural areas.

Watch the recording here.

Dialogue event: Youth and Vocational Training in the Rhein-Hunsrück district

On February 6 2025, the Dialogue event “Youth and Vocational Training Here” took place at the Performance and Innovation Center of the DFH Group in Simmern, offering an engaging platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities of vocational training in the Rhein-Hunsrück district. The target group was primarily regional companies that offer training, but also labour and training market players, schools and educational institutions, as well as political stakeholders.

In the Rhein-Hunsrück RUSTIK Living Lab, the Institute for Rural Development Research (Living Lab coordinator) and the Regionalrat Wirtschaft Rhein-Hunsrück (practice partner) have been working together to better understand the needs of young people and regional companies regarding vocational training. This event provided an opportunity to present to an audience of 150 participants the key insights from the first large-scale survey, which involved around 300 young people.

The event featured a dynamic panel discussion with representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Transformation and Digitalization of Rhineland-Palatinate, the district administration of Rhein-Hunsrück, the DFH Group as one of the region’s key training companies, and the headmaster of a school in the Rhein-Hunsrück district. The discussion focused on identifying new perspectives and providing valuable impulses for the development of the regional training landscape. Another significant highlight was a presentation by the SINUS Institute, offering insights into the life worlds of young people and their relevance to career choices.

The event concluded with the announcement of the launch of an online survey targeting training companies in the region, marking another important step in the activities of the Living Lab within the RUSTIK project.